# Cadillac

/ˈkædəˌɫæk/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cadillac
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the car brand

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a well-known brand of luxury car from the United States.

For teachers: a specific marque of luxury vehicle manufactured by General Motors.

- He saved his money for years to finally buy a classic Cadillac.
- The diplomat arrived in a black Cadillac, the chrome accents gleaming under the streetlights of the embassy driveway.

Usage: Often used as a countable noun to refer to a specific vehicle produced by the brand.

### 2. the best of its kind

adjective · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

used to describe something that is the highest quality or most expensive in its group.

For teachers: denoting a product or service that represents the pinnacle of luxury or quality within its specific class.

- This new espresso machine is the Cadillac of coffee makers.
- Critics often refer to this software suite as the Cadillac of enterprise solutions due to its comprehensive features and high price point.

Usage: Typically used in the construction 'the Cadillac of [category]'.

Teaching tip: This is a common American idiom; even if the student doesn't know the car, they should recognize it as a metaphor for 'the best'.

## Examples

- He drives a black Cadillac to work every day.
- The hotel suite felt like a Cadillac compared to the small rooms at the other hotel.
- In mid-century American culture, the Cadillac became a powerful symbol of wealth and success, representing the peak of automotive engineering and social aspiration.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.